GRAYThe shrilling tone of my phone pierced through the silence of the room. My heart raced as I reached for it, and noticed that Manang Bida was the caller.Si Manang Bida ay ang mayordomma ng mansyon, matagal na siyang naninilbihan sa pamilya ko simula noong binata pa ang Lolo ko."H-Hijo," she said, her voice trembling. "P-Pasensya na po, Señorito Gray sa pagtawag ko ng ganitong oras. May nangyari lang po kasi.""What happened, Manang Bida?" I asked."Ano po kasi... 'yong bahay nila Señorita Lucille... inatake.""Inatake?" Napabangon ako mula sa sofang kinahihigaan ko. "Paanong inatake?" "P-Parang massacre po, ser. May pitong saksak po ang señorita, si Sir Nate naman po ay dalawampu't isang saksak." Patuloy ni Manang Bida.My heart sank at the news, and I could hardly believe what I was hearing."The kids, h-how about the kids?"May dalawang anak sina Lucille at Nate, sina Luigi, 13 years old at Nasha na six years old pa lang. "Nakatakas po ang mga bata, sa awa ng Diyos. Walan

JESSICAThe memory of that conversation with Señora Diana weighed heavily on my mind as I stared at the diary before me. Kanina, noong dumating si Tali. Iniwanan muna ako ni Gray kasama si Señora Diana sa study room ni Don Charles. Pasimpleng ibinigay ng señora ang diary, she wants me to keep it. She knew my friendship with Lucille, at alam niya na isa ako sa pinagkakatiwalaan ng mga apo niya.But she ask me to keep this diary away from Gray, she knew how ruthless and cruel Gray can be lalo na kapag nalaman niya ang katotohanan. Aside from this diary, she also handle me a small box. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang laman ng box, but I'm sure those things we're something personal.Nanatiling misteryo ang intensyon ni Lucille, at hindi ko maiwasang magtaka kung bakit ako ang pinili niya para magtago ng mga bagay na ito.“She knows very you well, e lagi ka kayang nasa mansion mula noon up to now. Sinusundan-sundan si Gray at ayaw pakawalan," mapang-asar na wika ni Monique sa kabilang linya.“An

JESSICA.Napabalikwas ako nang maramdaman ko ang paggalaw ni Gray mula sa gilid ko, As he stirred, I feigned sleep, letting the sheets rustle subtly. Nagpanggap akong tulog, nanatili akong nakapikit at hindi gumagalaw. "Jessica, love, stay in bed. I have business to attend to," bulong niya at hinagkan ako sa pisngi. Maya-maya pa ay naulanigan ko ang mga yabag ni Grayson na patungo sa banyo ng kwarto niya.I let my breathing slow, suppressing any hint of awareness. His departure, however, didn't escape my senses. The faint creak of the bathroom door signaled his entrance. Nang umalis siya ay doon na ako kinutuban. Bumangon ako at tinungo ang pintuan ng banyo, hindi ito nakasarang maigi. I pressed my ear against the slightly ajar door, straining to catch every word that passed between Gray, at sa tingin ko kausap niya ngayon ang isa sa mga tauhan niya."Zamir, make sure Yuri pays for her betrayal," naulanigan ko ang malamig na tinig ni Gray, wala itong emosyon hidni tulad kagabi. "

JESSICA Halos gabi na, wala nang araw sa langit, madilim na ang paligid pero si Gray... hanggang ngayon ay wala pa. Hindi ko maalis sa akin ang mag-alala. kung nadaan na ba siya at kung ano na ba ang ginagawa niya. Ilang beses ko na siyang sinusubukan na tawagan o i-message pero wala, wala siyang sagot. "Jessica, my dear," si Señora Diana, lumapit siya sa akin, may dala siyang isang basong gatas. "Kanina pa kita hinahanap sa loob, nandito ka lang pala. Anong ginagawa mo rito? Bakit nasa labas ka, hija?""Hinhintay ko lang po si Gray," sagot ko. "Hija, napakalamig dito sa labas. You and the baby should be inside," nag-aalalang sambit niya."I just wanted some fresh air," aniko. Naramdaman ko ang pangingilid ng luha ko sa hindi ko malaman na dahilan. "Is everything alright, Jessica?" she inquired, as settled into the chair next to mine, I glanced at the mansion, as if searching for answers among its ornate details. "I don't know, Something feels off..." "Gray us a busy man, J

GRAYThe chapel's air felt heavy as Jessica and I walked in, eyes shifting towards the mournful gathering. My family, Señora Diana sat solemnly, Enrico with his wife and kids, Angela beside her secretary Chami, and my niece and nephew, Luigi and Nashi. But Melody, Yuri's daughter, was kneeling by the coffin, tears streaming down her face. Depite of it, I feel nothing."Sit down, Jess," I whispered, guiding her to a seat. Behind Señora Diana and Angela.I took my place beside her, eyes scanning the room. Yuri's betrayal echoed in my mind; the pain, the anger. But today, I wore the mask of grief, concealing the truth that only I and Jessica shared."Gray," sambit ni Señora Dianan nang lingonin niya ako. "Wala na ang ate mo.""Opo, señora," tipid kong wika. "Hindi ko akalain na magagawa ni Marco 'yon kay Yuri," saad ni Enrico. "Napakasama niyang tao, ipinagkatiwalaan natin siya tapos ganito lang ang isusukli niya.""Enrico, puwede bang manahimik ka na? Marco is already in jail, let the